The awards recognise the best the hospitality sector has to offer in regional Victoria, with Daylesford Japanese restaurant Kadota taking home the top prize of the State Golden Plate Award.

Kadota opened earlier this year to rave reviews with the restaurant a 'passion project' for owners Aaron Schembri and Risa Kadota, who met while working in some of Japan's best restaurants and use local ingredients to deliver quality Japanese cuisine.

The judges also awarded Kadota the best casual dining award and said delivering Japanese flavours using local ingredients was a challenge the couple met head on.

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"Every plated element sung with bright flavour and had a purpose beyond simple consumption. Presentation reflected colour contrasts, asymmetry and negative space, plating elements that add visual appeal and interest to marry with the outstanding depths of flavour and stunning dishes of shapes, colours and materials," the judges said.

Seven different Ballarat region venues also took home awards, with Higher Society winning best unlicensed cafe and Drive winning best licensed cafe.

Camp Street speakeasy 18^th Amendment took home the award for best cocktail bar or cellar door, while Buninyong's The Shared Table won for best menu of local food and best cellar of local beer, wine or cider.

The judges said 18^th Amendment was 'dark, moody and sexy'.

"The couches are comfy; the music evocative, the bartenders slinging cocktails like there's no tomorrow and the floor staff make sure you have the great time you're there for," the judges said.

"This is party town, in a sophisticated upscale atmosphere where you can certainly get the drink that you want, even if you don't know what it is. Just ask. You'll be rewarded by some of the region's most talented mixologists."

Doug Kerr from Criterion Clunes won the Peter Watson Memorial award for best chef after competing with seven of regional Victoria's best chefs in Melbourne last week, while Martin Fairhurst at Bistro Terroir in Daylesford won for outstanding front of house. Bistro Terroir also won for best value.

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